Lay Movements Start Their Annual Retreats at St Francis Shrine- Kaseye

Lay Movements Start Their Annual Retreats at St Francis Shrine- Kaseye

By Father Joseph Sikwese

The month of August is a very important month for Ecclesial Movements in the Diocese of Karonga.  It is the month in which the Pastoral Commission, through the office of the Lay Apostolate organizes annual retreats for Ecclesial Movements at St. Francis Shrine at Kaseye in Chitipa.

“This is one of the very precious moments in my life; I reflect on my life as a Christian. It helps me to refresh and gain more strength for my spiritual life. At first I thought retreats are only for priests and religious.” Commented Catherine Muyaba, a member of Ŵamama ŵa Chitemwano.

The retreats started on 1^st August with Ŵamama ŵa Chitemwano and each movement is allocated five days of retreat. The theme for this year is, “Deepening my faith in my Small Christian Community.” The retreats are officially opened or closed with Mass by the Bishop, Rt. Rev. Martin Anwel Mtumbuka. During the opening Mass for the retreat of the Legion of Mary, the Bishop appealed to the Legionaries to pray for the Church, their priests and families.

The programme of retreats is as follows:

1^St August to 5^th August Ŵamama ŵa Chitemwano

6^th August to 10^th August Legion of Mary

10^th August to 14^th August Catholic Elderly Men of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

15^th August to 19^th August Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi

20^th August to 24^th August Lay Marianists.

St. Francis Shrine used to be the Parish Church of St. Michael’s from 1949 until 1999 when the mission centre was moved from Kaseye to Chitipa Boma. In 2015 Bishop Mtumbuka declared Kaseye Church to be Shrine were different groups in the Church can use for retreats or prayers. The Shrine is dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi.